Final Score: Cubs 1, Pirates 1 – Rained Out Game Ends in Tie

Now we’ve officially seen everything this season. Tonight’s Cubs game has just been called and will officially end in a tie. There was one out in the top of the sixth inning and the game was tied 1-1 when the rain stoppage occurred.

The delay officially lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes before the game was called.

With the tie, the Cubs will be 101-57-1. They still have a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds that begins on Friday. So it looks like the Cubs get to rest not only their starters but at least a couple of their relievers, who certainly would’ve pitched had this one resumed.

Rob Zastryzny lasted 3 2/3 innings tonight and Travis Wood had come on in relief. Wood certainly would have been pulled with the lengthy delay and there would have still been three or four innings to left to pitch, depending on the score, of course.

The reason for the unlikely and, quite frankly, rare tie – the last Cubs tie was in May of 1993 – was that this game makes no difference in the outcome of the season. The Cubs have locked best record in the league, the Pirates have been eliminated from the playoffs, and no other team could have been impacted by the result.

So, using that rationale, I guess the Cubs can just go home and rest up without having to play Cincinnati? Kidding, of course. Playing meaningless baseball still gives the Cubs the chance to keep a rhythm and stay sharp.

Just think of the rest of the season as spring training for the playoffs.